BROOM-RAPES, BALANOPHORE^E, RAFFLESIACE.E. 



195 



of Lophophyta presents an altogether different picture. The brown scales have 

 detached themselves from the rachis, first those at the base of cone, then also those 

 on the upper parts. They fall off almost simultaneously, and with them the 

 envelope which up to that time has concealed the flowers. The erect, fleshy, white, 

 or reddish rachis bearing the flowers then becomes visible. The female flowers are 



Fig. 41.— Parasitic Balanophoreae. 

 1 Lophophytum mirabile, from Brazil. 2 Sarcophyte sanguined, from the Cape of Good Hope. 



on the lower part, and arranged in spherical, deep yellow or orange-coloured 

 capitula which are packed close together; the male flowers are situated above the 

 lowermost third of the spadix, and are arranged in looser and less crowded capitula 

 of a pale yellow colour. 



However striking the phenomenon presented by these flowering cones of 

 Lophophytum mirabile, it is surpassed by another native of Brazilian forests, the 

 Lophophytum Leandri. The colouring of the inflorescence in this species cannot 



